More Than 1,800 Canadian Scientists Sign Open Letter Urging for More Cannabis Research

Scientists from all throughout Canada have come together to urge Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and other political figures to prioritize cannabis research. More than 1,800 of the country’s academic and public health researchers have already signed the open letter, which requests that the government make to easier to study the potential medical benefits of cannabis and how legalization might affect society.

“Under widespread global prohibition, cannabis research has been limited by the criminalization and stigmatization of cannabis use and users, leading to substantial gaps in knowledge around the harms and benefits of both medical and non-medical cannabis,” reads the letter sent to federal decision-makers.

“For example, although cannabis’ role as a pain reliever is increasingly well known, urgent questions remain about what effect increasing access to medical cannabis might play in the response to the ongoing opioid overdose crisis. Now is the time to ensure biomedical, epidemiological, and social sciences cannabis research is prioritized; supported with adequate funding; and facilitated through reduced administrative barriers.”

“As scientists, we need to closely monitor the creation of the promised public health framework for legal cannabis and evaluate how it mitigates the harms and maximizes the possible benefits of cannabis,” Milloy said.

In the letter, the researchers suggest a five-step action plan to improve Canada’s scientific review and “help rebuild public trust in robust, open, and fair decision-making.” The plan includes seeking and acting on the best available evidence, making all evidence and assessments publicly available, assessing cumulative environmental effects, requiring public discourse to prevent conflicts-of-interest, and developing explicit decision-making criteria and offering transparent rationales.

Noted signers of the letter include Julio Montaner, a renowned investigator into HIV and AIDS, and Dr. Mark Ware, assistant professor of McGill University and investigator of cannabis’ effects on chronic pain. Ware served as vice-chair on a federally appointed task force for a commissioned report on the best ways to create and implement marijuana legalization.